Germany's Steinmeier to take part in WW2 memorial in Volgograd
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will travel on May 7 to the Russian city of Volgograd -- formerly known as Stalingrad -- to commemorate the end of World War Two, a ministry spokeswoman said on Sunday.
The visit to the site where Soviet forces defeated Nazi troops in one of the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare comes amid strained ties between Russia and Germany over the Ukraine crisis. Russia will hold a parade in Moscow on May 9 to mark the 70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany, an opportunity to demonstrate military prowess and vaunt national pride; but most Western leaders are staying away. It was not clear if Steinmeier would attend that event.
